2025 Cadillac Escalade EXT Configurations, Engine, Features

2025 Cadillac Escalade EXT Configurations, Engine, Features  –  The biggest compliment awarded to the 2025 Cadillac Escalade EXT while I was driving it had to do with how “swaggy” it was. It transcended being simply “cool” and has been elevated back to its glory days of hip-hop in the 2000s, when the large and in charge SUV was mentioned in songs and featured heavily in music videos. Back then, the Escalade EXT was endorsed by the swaggiest entertainers and has since faded into the background. But with this new-generation model, the SUV looks ready to take that swag crown back. Completely overhauled, the 2025 Escalade EXT is now one of the most luxurious, high-tech, comfortable – and yes, swaggy – ways to drive.

2025 Cadillac Escalade EXT Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior and Interior

Enough USB ports are included in all three rows for each passenger and there’s two HDMI ports for the second-row entertainment system. The front row has both USB-C and USB-A ports, but the second and third rows have only USB-C. It’s a minor inconvenience, but nothing a new cord or adapter can’t fix. The screens in the second row are also touchscreens, offer phone mirroring, and come with Bluetooth headphones.

Sound systems and headlights are two aspects I never mention in car reviews because they’re normally unremarkable, but I have to make an exception here because both are unusually excellent. The upgraded 36-speaker sound system with speakers everywhere – including in the headrests – is one of the best I’ve experienced and offers a truly immersive experience, while the headlights cast a wide and bright beam to illuminate the road ahead and the surrounding areas better than most

2025 Cadillac Escalade EXT Specs

Cadillac says the screen has twice the pixel density of a 4K TV, and if you don’t speak nerd, that translates into incredible clarity, contrast, and colours. The touchscreen is very responsive and Cadillac makes full use of the screen’s surface area, meaning there are no black dead zones, even when using the wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. This not only looks slick but also allows more information to be displayed more often, which means less digging through menus.

The 14-inch gauge cluster screen is just as stunning and looks better than the TV I have at home and Cadillac makes great use of this by putting fancy graphics everywhere for what is typically a very boring part of a car. With four main views, a driver can easily toggle between gauges, a full navigation display, a night-vision camera that highlights pedestrians or animals, or an augmented-reality display that overlays animated navigation directions over a live camera feed of the road ahead. I found the augmented-reality display a bit distracting to use, but it’s still impressive.  2025 Cadillac Escalade EXT Configurations

There are just too many excellent features to list, but some standouts are the centre console fridge/freezer, digital rear-view mirror camera display, an easily accessible parking assistant that automates the trickiest parts of parallel and perpendicular parking, the rear-seat infotainment touchscreens, the crisp audio system that includes a voice amplifier so people in the front can hear the people in the back better, and a huge head-up display (HUD).

Engine and Performance

One of the last remaining body-on-frame SUVs, this one boasts a 6.2L naturally aspirated V8 engine that puts out 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic gearbox distributes power to all four wheels in an inconspicuous and intuitive manner, never having trouble connecting or knowing just where it should be. The V8 is smooth and gives credible power for a car this hefty, even though it’s not quick. Passing and merging on the highway are stress-free experiences. Although it has a little rough sound when driving at high speeds, Cadillac provides a cat-back performance exhaust system that should address this small complaint.

There’s also a 3.0L diesel six-cylinder engine available as a no-cost option that outputs 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque and will likely save drivers a lot at the pumps without sacrificing the pulling power needed to get this giant and whatever it’s towing charging forward.  2025 Cadillac Escalade EXT Configurations

2025 Cadillac Escalade EXT Fuel Economy

My as-tested average at the end of the week with mostly highway driving was 13.5 L/100 km, which is notably higher than its official highway rating of 12.4 L/100 km. Earlier in the week, when I was doing more city driving, the Escalade EXT was averaging 16.6 L/100 km, a bit better than its official 16.8 L/100 km city rating. The diesel engine hasn’t been rated yet by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), but it’s expected to be more efficient. The engine also has a fantastic stop/start system and cylinder deactivation that can barely be felt.  2025 Cadillac Escalade EXT Configurations

2025 Cadillac Escalade EXT Safety Features

The Escalade EXT comes standard with every safety feature imaginable including automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, pedestrian detection, a surround-view camera, rear pedestrian alert, teen driver profiles and restrictions, and automatic high-beams. Available extras included in higher trims are adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, night vision (optional), rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic emergency braking, and a trailer blind-spot monitoring system.

The vehicle also alerts drivers when they’re approaching a school zone so they can slow down, but the chime itself is pretty loud and I couldn’t figure out how to turn down the volume. Still, it’s incredibly useful. As a whole, the systems work together well without being too jarring. The adaptive cruise control was smooth and natural feeling, assisting the driver instead of fighting with them for control.  2025 Cadillac Escalade EXT Configurations

2025 Cadillac Escalade EXT Price and Release Date

The Cadillac Escalade EXT, the brand’s most famous, long-standing, and popular model starts at $89,798, and for that price, it’s not well equipped. Leather seats, ventilated seats, adaptive cruise control, and a sunroof aren’t even standard – all things that come standard in vehicles costing a fraction as much. The top-trim Sport Platinum model tested here starts at $117,798. For this price, not including such excellent features like the console fridge/freezer (an extra $805) or the Super Cruise semi-automated hands-free driving technology ($2,875) as standard seems like a missed opportunity for the brand to showcase the best it’s got.

For a long time, Cadillac made excellent-driving vehicles but dropped the ball on the little details that can make or break a luxury car. With this Escalade EXT, the brand finally closed the loop and has created a fully realized luxury SUV that impresses in almost every aspect. While the Lincoln Navigator, the Escalade EXT’s cross-town rival, was previously setting the standard for swaaggy American luxury, the Escalade EXT seems poised again to wrestle that crown back.  2025 Cadillac Escalade EXT Configurations